SynthMaven 4.1.4

SynthMaven 4.1.4 — updates keep your programs and sounds

4.1.4 is 4.1.3 with one change: installing it no longer erases what you saved.

What changes

• Your programs, sounds and settings stay: installing over SynthMaven 3.5 or later keeps saved programs, USER sounds (including Prophet, FM6 and CZ-1 slots), projects, scales, MIDI mappings and settings. Before, every install reset the FM-1 to factory defaults.
• New installs still start clean: over stock firmware, SynthMaven 3.0 or anything else that didn't save SynthMaven 3.5+ settings, the installer still clears musical storage, as before.

This applies from this install on: the update loader that decides is the one in the package being installed, so installing 4.1.4 over 4.1.3 already keeps your data.

Install

1. Export a complete backup in the editor anyway. Your data should stay, but a backup lets you recover it if the install is interrupted.
2. Use the live installer in Chrome or Edge with USB ROLE set to COMPUTER, and keep the FM-1 plugged in until it restarts.

The editors are unchanged: the web editor and the iPad app 4.1 (25) work with 4.1.4.

Validation

Host tests run the update loader over a simulated FM-1: with SynthMaven settings in either settings copy, nothing above the app area is erased; with no settings, broken settings or another firmware's settings, all musical storage is cleared and verified, and power cuts during the clear resume on retry. A firmware boot test checks that the settings record SynthMaven writes carries the tag where the loader reads it, and the settings layout is unchanged from 3.5 through 4.1.4.

SynthMaven 4.1.3

SynthMaven 4.1.3 — sound lists that fit the screen

4.1.3 is the 4.1.1 firmware with fixed web and iPad editors. If you run 4.1.1 or 4.1.2, you don't need to reinstall the firmware: reload the web editor, or update SM FM1 to 4.1 (25) in TestFlight.

Fixes in the editors

• Search results on the same screen: in the Library, Device sounds and My library put their search and filters on one line, and the results start right below them. A results page holds as many sounds as fit on the screen, so you no longer had to press Next page to see any.
• Filters apply at once: changing the search, engine or source shows the new results immediately, on the screen you are looking at.

Validation

Checked in a browser against the editor's mock FM-1: searching "bass" in Device sounds narrowed 617 sounds to 48, the PROPHET engine to 12 and FM6 to 5, each shown under the filters on a single screen.

SynthMaven 4.1.2

SynthMaven 4.1.2 — editor fixes for layers and envelopes

4.1.2 is the 4.1.1 firmware with fixed web and iPad editors. If you already run 4.1.1, you don't need to reinstall the firmware: open the web editor again, or update SM FM1 to 4.1 (24) in TestFlight.

Fixes in the editors

• Layer octaves work on every layer: Oct buttons were disabled on every layer except the selected one, because the editor drew them before it knew the FM-1 can change any layer. Each layer card now has one ‹ Oct n › row, and the MIDI routing screen has the same control for each layer.
• ENV on Prophet, FM6 and CZ-1: these engines play their own envelopes and ignore the shared ADSR, as on the FM-1, so the editor's ENV controls did nothing on them. On a Prophet, the Envelopes page and the Perform ENV knobs now edit its filter and amplifier envelopes, live. FM6 and CZ-1 point to their own envelope editors.
• Device sounds filters: the Library's Device sounds list has a search box, an engine filter and a Factory / User filter, like My library.
• Editor version: the editor shows its version (4.1.2), so you can tell which one is open.

Envelopes while layering

With layering on, ENV changes only the selected layer. If other layers play the same keys, they can hide the change: in testing, a quiet layer under two loud ones changed attack from 40 ms to 1 s and release from 50 ms to 0.9 s, but the whole sound hardly changed. Lower or mute the other layers, or give them other key ranges, to hear one layer's envelope.

Validation

Host tests drive the editor against its mock FM-1: Prophet envelope edits reach the patch, Oct on a layer that isn't selected moves its transpose, and the Device sounds filters narrow the list. On an FM-1 running 4.1.1, ENV changes were recorded from its USB audio, with layering off and with it on.

SynthMaven 4.1.1

SynthMaven 4.1.1 — an octave per layer, cleaner layered chords

4.1.1 is the first published build of 4.1: the 4.1 tag's firmware didn't fit the FM-1's app area and was never released.

New in 4.1

• An octave per layer: with layering on, OCT- and OCT+ on Home move only the selected layer, an octave at a time (two octaves either way). Press both together to put that layer back to 0. Each layer can play the same keys in its own octave, for example a bass two octaves under a pad. The OCT lights show when the selected layer is shifted down or up. With layering off, the octave buttons work as before.
• Octave buttons in the editors: every layer card on the layer mixer has Oct − and Oct + at the top.
• The split stays on the keys: a layer's octave no longer moves the split point.
• Prophet envelopes on screen: FLT ENV and AMP ENV draw the envelope instead of the oscilloscope, as the other engines' ENV pages do.
• Sound search in the editors: the Sounds page has a search box and a Factory / User filter, like the Library.

Fixes

• Layered chords no longer duck: with layering on, the master is turned down 6 dB before the limiter (switching layering on or off while notes sound changes the level at once). A held chord no longer drops when other layers come in. Layered programs play a little quieter; turn up your amplifier to match.
• Programs 3–8 after restoring a backup: restoring a backup with empty program banks made those programs fail to load. They now load as the factory programs.
• Library filters: the engine list shows only engines in your library, and entries saved without tags no longer stop the list updating.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host tests cover the layer octaves, the limiter, program loading after a restore and the editor filters. This firmware, built as the release is, was installed on an FM-1: a backup restored and all eight programs loaded. With all four layers sounding, three-key chords stayed inside the audio deadline on seven of the eight programs (P6 missed it once); chords of six or more keys miss it now and then on most programs, as in 4.0, so very large layered chords can glitch. The voice budget while layering stays at 16 points: 20 and 24 measured worse. The ducking fix was measured on the host, not on the FM-1. P7 is the loudest layered program and still pumps the limiter a little. The iPad app is 4.1 (23), matching this firmware.

SynthMaven 4.0

SynthMaven 4.0 — the oriental groove box

An FM-1 firmware for oriental live musicians, turning the standard M-VAVE FM-1 into an oriental groove box.

New in 4.0

• New design and themes: every screen now has the same cards and colours. Choose SynthMaven (red, the default), Orange, Baby Blue or Pink with COLOR in Settings. The earlier themes and the pixel font are removed, and Rubik gains a smaller size for the Home cards.
• Factory grooves: on drum Home, turn ALGORITHM to choose Ballad, Half Pipe, Straight 8, On the Floor, Maksoom, Wahda, Baladi or Fox. Turn back to MY PATTERN to get your own steps again; editing a groove makes it your pattern. ALGORITHM no longer selects a lane here, so use SELECT.
• Factory programs: RETRO SYNTH now leads with XD STRINGS and ORCHESTRA with FM6 STRINGS 2. DX RHODES and ORCHESTRA load with layering on.
• Loudness compensation: factory sounds and programs are now matched to the DX7 program's loudness, automatically and with no control of their own. Your LEVEL settings work as before. 487 of 614 sounds land within 1 dB and 563 within 3 dB; a few short or very quiet sounds stay lower because their boost is limited. Sounds saved as USER sounds aren't compensated.
• Installer: the optional m-bootloader step is gone, and the page now shows the firmware's key numbers. A device that already has m-bootloader keeps it.
• New arranger: in the editors it has its own page after Sequencer and Drums. Rows are the four layers plus Drums, and columns are the sections. On the FM-1, SEQ → SONG has the same five rows. A section can change the drum groove, use your own pattern, or stop the drums.
• Save pattern: save the pattern you're editing to any of a track's 8 patterns, from the editor's sequencer or SEQ → PATTERNS on the FM-1.
• Scale list on Master Tune: turning to a scale opens its full name in a list over the keyboard, which closes by itself when you stop. OCT- puts back the scale you started on.
• Tempo while drumming: while the drums are running, SELECT sets the tempo on both Home screens. Stop the drums to choose a part or lane with SELECT again.
• Drummer volume while playing: while the drums are running, KNOB 4 sets their volume on both Home screens, and the display shows it. Stop the drums and KNOB 4 goes back to its usual job.
• New Home screen: four cards, one per layer, with the sound, engine, pattern and live steps, and four rotary knobs below showing KNOB 1–4 for the selected layer. The header shows the program number and name. Each layer's level and pan are on the mixer page.

What's in the box

Microtuning for maqam, four-layer key mapping, the groove box and sequencer, scenes and setlists, the web and iPad editors, and per-layer MIDI routing for several keyboards. See the README. This release also includes the changes from 3.6.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host tests cover the groove browser and the new screens. This release has not been tested on FM-1 hardware. The groove patterns haven't been auditioned. USB ROLE still returns to COMPUTER at each power-on. The iPad app is still 3.5.6 (18).

SynthMaven 3.6

SynthMaven 3.6 — MIDI routing, pooled polyphony, new factory programs and the SynthMaven FM1 name

SynthMaven 3.6 is the new main line. It uses the same code as 3.5.9, and brings together everything since 3.5.

MIDI

• Settings → MIDI → Routing assigns an input (Any, USB or TRS) and a channel (Off, 1–16 or All) to layers 1–4 and the Drummer. Routing is off by default, and layers on the same input and channel split or stack by note range.
• MIDI Learn adds Transport Play / Stop, Record (selected part) and Record (drummer).
• The web editor forwards several controllers on a computer, each to its target's channel. The iPad app still forwards one at a time.
• The USB/TRS/BOTH setting is called MIDI MODE and defaults to BOTH. The old MIDI MODE row (Absolute/Rel) is now KNOB MODE.

Sound

• BUDGET defaults to 64 points, its maximum. ANALOG, DIGITAL, VOICE, STRINGS, JUNO, HYBRID, WSEQ and VPS can use up to 16 voices a part from the shared pool. If a heavy program drops notes or crackles, lower BUDGET in GLO → TUNE/CLOCK.
• Eight new factory programs: DX7 E.PIANO, DX RHODES, JUNO 106, E. ORGAN, DISCO LEAD, PROPHET LEAD, RETRO SYNTH and ORCHESTRA. Each opens on its Layer 1 lead; hold GLO to bring in the supporting layers.
• A fresh installation starts on Program 1.

Device name

The FM-1 identifies itself as SynthMaven FM1, as both its MIDI port and its USB audio interface, and as SynthMaven FM1 Update while installing. If a Mac keeps showing the old name, unplug the device, delete its grey entry in Audio MIDI Setup → MIDI Studio, and plug it back in.

M-VAVE's own updater may no longer find a device running this firmware. Return to stock firmware from the SynthMaven installer page.

Controls

• Hold HOME for the settings menu: SELECT cycles the rows, KNOB 1 changes the selected row, and KNOB 4 leaves. MIDI MODE and USB ROLE replace HOLD and LIGHTS in the list; HOLD and LIGHTS remain in GLO's preference pages.
• On the tuning keyboard, hold a key for one second to set −50 cents or reset it to zero.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host and web tests cover routing, the USB names, the menu and the Program 1 default. This release has not been tested on FM-1 hardware, the factory programs have not been auditioned, and the new name has not been seen on a computer. USB ROLE still returns to COMPUTER at each power-on. The iPad app is still 3.5.6 (18).

SynthMaven 3.5.9

SynthMaven 3.5.9 — device name, settings menu and Program 1

Device name

The FM-1 now identifies itself as SynthMaven FM1, as both its MIDI port and its USB audio interface, and as SynthMaven FM1 Update while installing. The web editor, iPad editor and installer use the same name. If a Mac keeps showing the old name, unplug the device, delete its grey entry in Audio MIDI Setup → MIDI Studio, and plug it back in. Refresh any installer tab opened before this release.

M-VAVE's own updater may no longer find a device running this firmware. Return to stock firmware from the SynthMaven installer page.

Settings menu (hold HOME)

• SELECT cycles the rows, KNOB 1 changes the selected row, and KNOB 4 leaves. OCT+ and OCT- work as before. KNOB 2 no longer moves the row.
• MIDI MODE (USB, TRS or BOTH) and USB ROLE replace HOLD and LIGHTS in the list. HOLD and LIGHTS remain in GLO's preference pages.
• The USB/TRS/BOTH setting is now called MIDI MODE everywhere; the knob column on GLO → SYSTEM shortens it to MODE. The old MIDI MODE row (Absolute/Rel) is now KNOB MODE.

Fixes

A fresh installation now starts on Program 1. 3.5.7 started on Program 3 despite its documentation.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host tests cover the USB names, the installer's port matching, the menu and the Program 1 default. This release has not been tested on FM-1 hardware, and the new name has not been seen on a computer. USB ROLE still returns to COMPUTER at each power-on.

SynthMaven 3.5.7

SynthMaven 3.5.7 — new factory programs and defaults

Factory programs

Eight new programs, each opening on its Layer 1 lead with layering off: DX7 E.PIANO, DX RHODES, JUNO 106, E. ORGAN, DISCO LEAD, PROPHET LEAD, RETRO SYNTH and ORCHESTRA. Hold GLO to bring in the supporting layers. Every program has a little reverb and a slight chorus for movement.

Defaults

• BUDGET now defaults to 64 points.
• MIDI now defaults to BOTH, so MIDI-only tracks accept USB and TRS together.

Editors

On the tuning keyboard, hold a key for one second to set −50 cents or reset it to zero. This replaces the double tap, which zoomed the page on iPad.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults, including the previous factory programs.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host tests confirm the programs load, sound and do not clip. The programs have not been auditioned, and this release has not been tested on FM-1 hardware. A four-layer program measured a 77% CPU peak at budget 64 on an earlier build; these programs may differ. If one drops notes or crackles, lower BUDGET in GLO → TUNE/CLOCK.

SynthMaven 3.5.5

SynthMaven 3.5.5 — MIDI routing, pad recording and pooled polyphony

Assign each layer and the drummer to its own MIDI input and channel, record pads, and hold more layered notes.

MIDI routing

• Settings → MIDI → Routing assigns an input (Any, USB or TRS) and a channel (Off, 1–16 or All) to layers 1–4 and the Drummer. It is off by default, so ROUT behaves as before until you turn it on. Routing is saved on the FM-1 and applies in COMPUTER and HOST.
• Layers on the same input and channel split or stack by note range.
• The Drummer plays and records on the first part using the DRUM engine, so that part is not available as a layer.
• MIDI Learn adds Transport Play / Stop, Record (selected part) and Record (drummer).
• The web editor forwards several controllers on a computer, each to its target's channel. The iPad app still forwards one at a time.

Polyphony

• The default BUDGET is now 32 points, and the maximum is 64.
• ANALOG, DIGITAL, VOICE, STRINGS, JUNO, HYBRID, WSEQ and VPS can use up to 16 voices a part from the shared pool. UNISON keeps its previous voice count.
• Layered MIDI notes can use 32 tracking slots, up from 24, so four stacked layers hold 8 notes rather than 6.
• More voices use more CPU. If a heavy program drops notes or crackles, lower BUDGET in GLO → TUNE/CLOCK.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Host and web tests cover routing, splits, pad recording, transport actions and settings. This release has not been tested on FM-1 hardware, including CPU load at the new default budget. HYBRID sounds can behave differently past 4 voices because notes now ring on. The FM-1 settings screens have no routing page: set routing in the web or iPad editor while in COMPUTER. Bluetooth remains excluded.

SynthMaven 3.5.3

SynthMaven 3.5.3 — USB MIDI host through powered hubs

USB keyboards, pads and pedals now work through a powered USB hub in HOST role. Before this release the FM-1 gave up on the hub before it had finished starting, so the controller was never reached.

USB host

• Slow hubs: a root reset now lasts 50 ms, and a hub that does not answer is reset again with longer recovery waits (100 ms up to 1.6 s). Finding a slow hub can take about 3 seconds. A device that answered is not reset again.
• Two-chip hubs: many multi-port hubs contain two hub chips, with most sockets on the second. The controller is now found behind that second chip. A third hub level is not searched.
• These changes follow Melodee upstream (7eb442e, 6e61576). Earlier experimental USB register changes that did not help were removed.
• The menu and editor call the role HOST (previously PEDAL). It is for keyboards, pads and pedals; there is no separate keys-only or pedal-only mode.
• The FM-1 cannot power its USB port. A bus-powered controller needs a powered hub or powered OTG adapter; a direct cable to the controller does not work.

Keyboards, pads and pedals together

• TRS MIDI IN stays active in either USB role.
• GLO → MIDI/CPU → ROUT = PARTS sends MIDI channels 1–4 to layers 1–4, even with Layering on, so a USB controller and a TRS controller on different channels can play different layers.
• MIDI = BOTH lets a MIDI-only forwarding track accept USB and TRS together.
• MIDI Learn assignments can be limited to USB only or TRS only, so a pedal on one connector and a keyboard on the other do not interfere. Existing assignments keep Any input.

Installation

1. Export a complete backup first: installation resets settings and musical storage to factory defaults.
2. Set USB ROLE to COMPUTER and install with the web installer and a data cable. Restore your backup afterwards.

Validation and limitations

Confirmed by the owner on hardware: an Akai MPK mini IV plays the FM-1 through a powered multi-port USB-C hub (Lemorele) in HOST role, and TRS input works while USB is connected. Host-side regression tests cover direct devices, one hub, two-chip hubs, slow hubs, disconnect/reconnect, stalls and back-pressure; stack-budget and target memory checks pass. Other hubs and controllers are untested. The host driver plays one USB MIDI controller at a time. Bluetooth remains excluded.

The illustrated PDF guide is updated for 3.5.3. Release firmware is built and attested by the required shared builder.